The Washington Wizards suffered a key injury very early in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Forward Andray Blatche injured his right shoulder at the 8:46 mark of the first quarter, and was taken back to the locker room. The Wizards are saying he has a strained shoulder, and his return is doubtful.
Blatche was trying to make a move off the dribble on the left side of the floor when the Bucks poked the ball away. Blatche went after the loose ball and dove on the floor, but slammed to the ground right on his right shoulder. He was holding his right shoulder on the floor as play continued the other way, and was clutching it as he left the floor.
Blatche's absence comes at an inopportune time, because he was starting to pick up his play after a disappointing year. Trevor Booker replaced him in the lineup at power forward, and Kevin Seraphin will now likely receive more time.